2022 Lexus RC F

　　

2022 Lexus RC F Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　Lexus' lineup consists mostly of comfortable and refined SUVs and sedans, but it does build a couple of coupes. One of them is the 2022 Lexus RC F. This Japanese coupe is powered by one of the last remaining non-turbocharged V8s in the premium car segment. The 472-horsepower engine is strong and sounds phenomenal. It's easily the RC F's main showpiece.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Lexus RC F 2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$241/mo  for RC F Base

　　RC F Base

　　2dr Coupe (5.0L 8cyl 8A) (Most Popular) - $66,220 MSRPFuji Speedway Edition 2dr Coupe w/Prod. End 05/22 (5.0L 8cyl 8A) - $101,095 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　The Lexus RC F is the performance version of the more toned-down RC coupe (reviewed separately). However, don't be fooled by the F in the name or its evocative styling. This Lexus is more of a grand-touring car than a high-strung sports car, and it favors a comfortable ride and smooth driving experience over maximum performance.

　　We like the RC F, but its dated design definitely holds it back. This coupe hasn't seen a full redesign since 2014 and suffers from an outdated technology interface. You'll want to check out the more modern Audi RS 5 and BMW M4 as part of your search for a luxury performance coupe. There's even competition coming from within the family as Lexus fits the same V8 engine in the LC 500, which is more luxurious than the RC F, and the new IS 500 sedan. For a more comprehensive analysis of the RC F, please check out our zzdcar' Expert Rating below.

　　

What's it like to live with?

zzdcar spent six months living with a 2015 Lexus RC F. Several updates have been made to the luxury coupe since then, but it's virtually the same vehicle as today. We put 10,000 miles on the Lexus and noted that we liked the powerful V8 and the well-designed, high-quality interior. However, there were some drawbacks. For more information, check out the 2015 Lexus RC F long-term road test review here.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the RC F drive? The RC F comes with a responsive 472-hp V8, a trick active rear differential and an adaptive suspension. But none of it can fully overcome the RC F's beefy curb weight. We've yet to test the 2021 RC F, but in testing a 2018 model we were able to do 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. That's not slow in the broader scheme of things but slow for the category.

　　But it's not all doom and gloom: The engine sounds great when pushed, and the RC F is one of the few remaining V8-powered coupes on the market. The RC F's braking performance is also competitive in the sports car class, and the transmission responds quickly to shift requests from the paddle shifters.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RC F? Comfortable front seats and good insulation from the sound of surrounding traffic are highlights, adding to the grand-touring character of the car. The front seats also provide ample bolstering for aggressive driving and have effective heating and ventilation. The adaptive suspension does a good job taking the edge off bigger bumps and making the ride more compliant. It's still firm but it smooths out road imperfections enough to keep it comfortable on long drives.

　　The climate system's automatic mode works well. The capacitive-touch temperature controls are responsive, if a bit overeager, and manual adjustments are mostly easy. Unfortunately, more in-depth control requires navigating the frustrating infotainment system.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below